"The ANC has decided to recall the president of the republic," Mr Mantashe said following a meeting of the party leadership.

Mr Mantashe said the President had been informed of the decision but did not say that he had agreed to go.

He said the parliamentary process will now kick in and that Mr Mbeki had agreed to participate in that process.

Last week Mr Mbeki had told the Cabinet he would accept whatever decision the ANC made.

Mr Mbeki, 66, who succeeded Nelson Mandela as President in June 1999, has been under fire since allegations that he was influential in pressing corruption charges against ANC leader and political rival Jacob Zuma.

Under the South African constitution the president is appointed by parliament, which is dominated by the ANC.